MX2012011032A

MX2012011032A - Cell module.

Info

Publication number: MX2012011032A
Application number: MX2012011032A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Yasuhiro Suzuki; Toshiyuki Motohashi; Tatsuya Higashino
Original assignee: Nissan Motor
Priority date: 2010-04-07
Filing date: 2011-03-31
Publication date: 2012-11-16
Also published as: WO2011125812A1; TWI453977B; EP2557610A1; KR20120139779A; JP5577802B2; JP2011222230A; KR101319176B1; CN102834947A; RU2514198C1; EP2557610A4; BR112012025388A2; TW201222935A; US20130029201A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a cell module which is formed by laminating a plurality of flat cells, each of which has electrode tabs, and a plurality of insulating members, which are disposed so as to eliminate a short-circuit between the electrode tabs. The cell module has: a fitting section (70), which is formed by laminating the insulating members, and has an external connector (80) fitted therein; and a second engaging section (102), which is formed on an insulating member (100), and engages with a first engaging section (83) of the external connector (80). The cell module which can have the connector inserted therein and engaged therewith, while reducing the number of components, is provided.

Description

CELL MODULE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cell module.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A module of assembled cells in which a plurality of thin, flat cells are connected in series or parallel, has an insertion hole in which a connector, connected to a controller, is inserted in order to detect the voltage of each one of the flat cells (see Patent Document 1).

In conventional cell configurations, it is common practice to provide an insulation cover as a separate component with an insertion hole for the insertion of a voltage sensing connector and to attach the insulating cover to the laminate assembly of flat cells. This involves a lot of manufacturing time and effort due to an increased number of components.

DOCUMENTS OF THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE Patent Document Patent Document 1: Publication of the Japanese Patent Open to Public Inspection No. 2006-210312 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a cell module with a reduced number of component elements such that a connector can be inserted and fixed with the cell module.

In accordance with the present invention, a cell module is provided, comprising: a plurality of flat cells and laminated insulating members, flat cells having electrode tabs, insulating members that are arranged to prevent a short circuit between the tabs of electrode; a fixing portion formed by lamination of the insulation members to be fixed with an external connector; and a second coupling portion formed in the insulation members to be coupled with a first coupling portion of the external connector.

In the present invention, the adaptation portion is formed by lamination of the insulation members and fixed with the external connector; and the second coupling portion is formed in the insulation members and fixed with the external connector. It is therefore possible to connect the cell module to the external connector while reducing the number of component parts of the cell module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a flat cell incorporated in a cell module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the planar cell taken along line A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a terminal plate of the cell module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an integral cell unit of the cell module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a part of the integral cell unit shown in area B of FIG. Four.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a part of another integral cell unit corresponding to that shown in area B of FIG. Four.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a laminated cell assembly of the cell module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a part of the laminated cell assembly shown in area C of FIG. 7 FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a part of the laminate cell assembly of FIG. 7 and an external connector.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the external connector is fixed in the assembly of laminated cells.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a part taken along line D-D of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a part taken along the line E-E of FIG. 10 FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the cell module before being sealed in a cover.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the cell module after being sealed in a cover.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a modified integral cell unit of the cell module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MODALITIES The exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings.

FIRST MODALITY First, the flat cell 1 will be explained below for use in a cell module according to the present embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a planar view of the flat cell 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the flat cell 1 taken along the line? -? of FIG. 1. In the present embodiment, the flat cell 1 is designed as a lithium ion secondary cell, laminated, in the form of a plate (thin cell). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flat cell 1 includes three positive electrode plates 11, five separators 12, three negative electrode plates 13, the positive electrode tongue 14 (positive electrode terminal), the negative electrode tongue 15 (electrode terminal negative), the upper packing member 16, the lower packing member 17 and an electrolytic material, although the electrolytic material is not specifically illustrated.

Among these component parts, the positive electrode plates 11, the separators 12, the negative electrode plates 13 and the electrolytic material constitute the energy generation element 18. In addition, plates 11 and 13, positive and negative electrode serve as electrode plates, and upper and lower packing members 16 and 17 serve as a pair of packaging members.

Each of the positive electrode plates 11 of the power generation element 18 has a manifold Ia of the positive electrode extending to the tongue 14 of the positive electrode and the layers 11b and 11c of the positive electrode formed on parts of the main sues of the electrode. collector lia of positive electrode. Here, the positive electrode layers 11b and 11c of the positive electrode plates 11 are not formed on the entire major sues of the positive electrode collectors lia but form only on parts of the main sues of the positive electrode collectors lia on which the positive electrode plates 11 substantially overlap with the separators 12 at the moment when the positive electrode plates 11, the separators 12 and the negative electrode plates 12 are laminated and assembled in the generating element 18 energy as shown in FIG. 2. Although in the present embodiment, the positive electrode plate 11 and the positive electrode collector 11 are formed of a sheet of conductive material, the positive electrode collector Ia can be formed as a separate component and is attached to the plate 11. of positive electrode.

The positive electrode collectors 11 of the positive electrode plates 11 are formed of, for example, electrochemically stable metal sheets, such as, for example, aluminum sheets, aluminum alloy sheets, copper sheets or nickel sheets. The positive electrode layers 11b and 11c of the positive electrode plate 11 are formed for example, by mixing a positive electrode active material such as lithium compound oxide, for example lithium nickel (LINE 2), lithium manganese (LiMn02) or lithium cobaltate (L1C0O2) or chalcogenide (composed of, for example, S, Se or Te), a conductive agent such as carbon black, an agglutinate such as polyolite tetrafluoroethylene aqueous dispersion medium and a solvent, applying the composition of the resulting mixture to parts of the main sues of the positive electrode collectors and subjecting the composition of the applied mixture to drying and lamiando.

Each of the negative electrode plates 13 of the power generation element 18 has the negative electrode collector 13a extending to the tongue 15 of the negative electrode and the negative electrode layers 13b and 13c formed on parts of the opposite major sues of the negative electrode collector 13a. Here, the negative electrode layers 13b and 13c, of the negative electrode plates 13 are not formed on the complete main surfaces of the negative electrode collectors 13a, but are formed only on parts of the main surfaces of the electrode collectors 13a negative on which, the negative electrode plates 13 overlap with the separators 12 at the moment when the positive electrode plates 11, the separators 12 and the negative electrode plates 12 are subjected to lamination and assembled in the element 18 of power generation as shown in FIG. 2. Although in the present embodiment the negative electrode plate 13 and the negative electrode collector 13a are formed of a sheet of conductive material, the negative electrode collector 13a can be formed as a separate component and attached to the plate 13 of negative electrode The negative electrode collectors 13a of the negative electrode plates 13 are formed of, for example, sheets of electrochemically stable metal, such as nickel sheets, copper sheets, stainless steel sheets or iron sheets. The negative electrode layers 13b and 13c of the negative electrode plates 13 are formed, for example, by mixing a negative electrode active material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions from the positive electrode active material, such as carbon amorphous materials. , non-graphitizable carbon materials, graphitizable carbon materials or graphite, with an aqueous dispersion medium of styrene-butadiene rubber powder as a precursor for the organic sintered body, drying and pulverizing the resulting mixture, mixing the main material thus obtained wherein the carbonized styrene-butadiene rubber is supported on the surfaces of the carbon particles with a binder such as acrylic resin emulsion, by applying the composition of the resulting mixture to the principal surface portions of the negative electrode collector 13a and subjecting the composition applied to drying and rolling.

When non-graphitizable carbon material is used as the negative electrode active material, the output voltage of the cell is reduced with the discharge amount, due to the lack of a flat potential profile during loading / unloading. The use of such amorphous, non-graphitizable carbon materials as the active negative electrode material is not suitable for applications in communications and business equipment, but is advantageous for application in electric vehicle power sources in view of the fact that they do not have sudden voltage drops.

The separators 12 of the power generation element 18 serve to prevent a short circuit between the positive and negative electrode plates 11 and 13 and can have the function of retaining the electrolytic material. Each of the separators 12 has the shape of, for example, a porous polyolefin film such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) to close the pores in the porous film by generating heat with the passage of an overcurrent and by they exhibit a function of interruption of the current.

In the present embodiment, the separator 12 is not particularly limited to the single layer polyolefin film. The separator 12 may alternatively have a three-layer structure in which a polyolefin film is sandwiched between polyethylene films or a laminated structure in which a porous polyolefin film is laminated with an organic non-woven fabric, etc.

In the energy generating element 18, the positive electrode plates 11 and the negative electrode plates 13 are subjected to alternating lamination, with each of the separators 12 interposed between positive and negative electrode plates 11 and 13. adjacent. Three positive electrode plates 11 are connected via the respective positive electrode collectors lia, with the positive electrode tab 14 of the metal sheet, while three negative electrode plates 13 are connected via respective negative electrode collectors 13a with the 15 tongue of negative electrode of the metal sheet.

The number of positive electrode plates 11, spacers 12 and negative electrode plates 13 of the power generation element 18 is not particularly limited to the foregoing. For example, alternatively it is feasible to provide a power generation element 18 with a positive electrode plate 11, three spacers 12 and a negative electrode plate 13. The number of positive electrode plates 11, spacers 12 and negative electrode plates 13 can be selected according to the needs.

There are no particular limitations on the tabs 14 and 15 of the positive and negative electrode, as long as each of the positive and negative electrode tabs 14 and 15 is formed of an electrochemically stable metallic material. The positive electrode tongue 14 is formed of, for example, aluminum sheets, aluminum alloy sheets or nickel sheets with a thickness of approximately 0.2 mm as in the case of the positive electrode collectors lia. The negative electrode tongue 15 is formed of, for example, nickel sheets, copper sheets, stainless steel sheets or iron sheets with a thickness of approximately 0.2 mm as in the case of the negative electrode collectors 13a.

As already mentioned above, the electrode plates 11, 13 are connected to the tongues of the electrode 14, 15, extending the metal sheet collector lia, 13a of the electrode plate 11, 13 to the electrode tongue 14, 15, that is, forming electrode layers (positive electrode layers 11b and 11c or negative electrode layers 13b and 13c on some parts of sheet metal sheet, 13a, and using the end of the remaining part of sheet lia, 13a of metal as a junction for the electrode tongue 14, 15. Alternatively, the collector lia, 13a, between the positive electrode layers or between the negative electrode layers and the junction with the tongue 14, 15, of the electrode, is it can form sheets of separated metal sheets and are joined by means of another material or component.

The energy generating element 18 is received and sealed in the upper and lower packing members 16 and 17. Although not specifically illustrated in the drawings, each of the upper and lower packer members 16 and 17 has a three-layered structure that includes, in the order from the inside to the outside of the flat cell 1, an inner layer formed of a resin film having good electrolytic resistance and thermal adhesion properties, such as polyethylene, modified polyethylene, polypropylene, modified polypropylene or ionomer resin, an intermediate layer formed of sheet metal, such as aluminum foil and an outer layer formed of a resin having good electrical insulation properties, such as polyamide resin or polyester resin.

In other words, each of the upper and lower packing members 16 and 17 is formed of a flexible material such as a thin-film, resin-metal laminate having an aluminum foil, e.g., aluminum foil, a film of polyethylene, modified polyethylene, polypropylene, modified polypropylene, or ionomeric resin laminated on one surface of the metal sheet (the inner side of the flat cell 1) and a film of polyamide resin or polyester resin laminated on the other surface of the metal sheet (the outer side of cell 1 flat).

The power generation element 18 and the components of the positive and negative electrode tabs 14 and 15 are confined to the packing members 16 and 17. A vacuum is formed in the internal space defined by the packing members 16 and 17, while being filled with a liquid electrolytic solution of lithium salt such as lithium perchlorate, lithium fluoroborate or lithium hexafluorophosphate as a solute in a solvent organic. After that, the outer peripheral edges of the packing members 16 and 17 are thermally melted by means of thermal pressing.

The cell unit 40 integrated with the separator (hereinafter called "integral cell unit") incorporated in the cell module according to the present embodiment will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the terminal plate 30. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the integral cell unit 40. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of part of the integral cell unit 40 shown in area B of FIG. Four.

The integral cell unit 40 includes the flat cell 1, the flame-shaped separator 100 as an isolation member) surrounding the flat cell 1 and the terminal 31 of the connector. The separator 100 is formed of an insulating resin material, a hot melt material or a mixture thereof. The terminal plate 30 is provided with a connection terminal 31 and a body portion 32 and is used as a detection terminal board for the detection of the voltage of the flat cell 1. The connection terminal 31 is part of the terminal plate 30 and is formed in one piece with the body portion 32 of the terminal plate 30. The body portion 32 has the shape of a plate, while the terminal 31 of the connector is plug-shaped. The terminal plate 30 is formed of a conductive material such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper or nickel. Terminal 31 of the connector is not necessarily used as a voltage sensing terminal and may alternatively be used as a terminal of the power circuit, i.e., the input / output terminal of the cell module.

Part of the portion 32 of the body is connected to the tongue 15 of the electrode (or the electrode tongue 14) to overlap with part of the electrode tongue 15. For example, the parts of the electrode tongue 15 and the body portion 32 are connected by means of ultrasonic welding. For this reason, the electrode tongue 15 and the connection terminal 31 are electrically connected to each other.

Both the electrode tab 15 (or the electrode tab 14) and the connection terminal 31 protrude to the outside of the flat cell 1 in such a way that the plane direction of the plate-shaped electrode tongue 15 is in parallel with the plane. the longitudinal direction of the pin-shaped connection terminal 31 and the direction of the plane of the terminal plate 30 (the body portion 32).

The spacer 100 is adapted to sandwich and retain therein the terminal plate 30 and the electrode tongue 15 and is formed in one piece with the electrode tongue 15 and the connection terminal 31. For example, it is feasible to form the separator 100 in one piece with the tongue 15 of the electrode and the connection terminal 31, by means of molding with inserts, that is, by placing the flat cell 1 to which the tongue 15 has been connected. electrode and the terminal plate 30, in a flame-shaped mold, filling the mold with resin material and curing the resin material. Therefore, the separator 100 and the flat cell 1 are combined in one unit.

The cut 101 is formed in or around the center position on a short side of the spacer 100. More specifically, the cut 101 is formed by cutting the middle region of the short side of the spacer 100 to extend in a concave shape from the end surface 104 of the side of the electrode of the separator 100, towards the interior of the flat cell 1. The connection terminal 31 is located in the cut 101 to project outwardly within the cut 101. A guide portion 105 is formed in the side surfaces of the cut 101, i.e. both respective side surfaces perpendicular to the end surface 104 of the spacer 100 The cut 103 is formed on a short side (the positive electrode side) of the separate 101, opposite the short side in which the cut 101 is formed and is located in a symmetrical position with the cut 101. More specifically, the cut 103 it is also formed by cutting the middle region of the short side of the separator 100 to extend in a concave shape from the end surface 104 of the positive electrode side of the separator 100 into the flat cell 1.

Although the guide portion 105 is not provided in the cut 103 in the present embodiment, it is feasible to provide the guide portion 105 in the cut 103. In addition, it is feasible to provide connection terminals 31 on both short sides of the flat cell 1 though the connection terminal 31 is provided on a short side of the flat cell 1 in the present embodiment.

Next, the integral cell unit 41 will be explained with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part of the integral cell unit 41 corresponding to that shown in area B of FIG. 4. The basic configuration of the integral cell unit 41 is similar to that of the integral cell unit 40 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. However, the integral cell unit 41 is different from the integral cell unit 40 in that the integral cell unit 41 has a coupling portion 102 in place of the guide portion 105. The formation of the guide portion 105 allows for easy positioning of the external connector 80 relative to the fixing portion, to avoid damage to the connection terminal 31.

As shown in FIG. 6, the coupling portion 102 is formed on the lateral surfaces of the cut 101, ie, with respect to both side surfaces of the spacer 100 perpendicular to the end surface 104. The coupling portion 102 is shaped to engage therein a fastener portion 83 of the external connector 80 as will be explained later. Near the coupling portion 102, there are defined steps along the lateral surfaces perpendicular to the end surface 102. The coupling structure of the coupling portion 102 and the fastener portion 83 will be explained later.

The cut 103 is symmetrical in its position with the cut 101 in which the coupling portion 102 is provided. The coupling portion 102 is provided in the cut 103 as in the case of the coupling portion 102 in the cut 101. Alternatively, the coupling portion 102 may be provided in either the cut 101 or the cut 103.

Next, assembly 60 of laminated cells according to the present embodiment will be explained, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the assembly 60 of laminated cells. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of part of the assembly 60 of laminated cells, shown in area C of FIG. 7 The assembly 60 of laminated cells has a plurality of integral cell units 40 and 41 laminated with one another. In the present embodiment, three integral cell units 40, one integral cell unit 41 and four integral cell units 40 are laminated together in the order from the upper side of the laminated cell assembly 60. The integral cell units 40 are laminated in such a way that the positive electrode side of one of the integral cell units 40 is disposed between the sides of the negative electrodes of the other integral cell units 40. Similarly, the integral cell unit 41 is laminated such that the positive electrode side of the integral cell unit 41 is disposed between the sides of the negative electrodes of the integral cell units 40. The positive and negative electrode tabs 14 and 15 of the adjacent integral cell units 40 and 41 are connected by means of a common conductive transmission line bar (not shown) or connected directly by rolling. Therefore, the plurality of integral cell units 40 and 41 are connected in series. The number of units 40 and 41 of integral cell can be established arbitrarily. In addition, the integral cell unit 41 is not necessarily used as a central cell layer in the assembly 60 of laminated cells. Alternatively, the plurality of integral cell units 40 and 41 can be connected in parallel.

As shown in FIG. 8, a fastening portion 70 is formed on an end surface of the assembly 60 of laminated cells by lamination of the integral cell units 40 and 41. More specifically, the fastening portion 70 is defined by alternating the cuts 101 and 103 of the laminated spacers 100. As the coupling portion 102 or the guide portion 105 is provided in the cut 101, the multi-layer fastening portion 70 has a coupling portion 102 and a guide portion 105 in the layers with odd or even number of the mounting 60. of laminated cells.

In the adaptation portion 70, the connection terminals 31 project from the facing surface 71 of the laminated cell assembly 60 facing the external connector 80 mentioned later. The coupling portion 102 and the guide portion 105 are formed on the sliding surfaces of the laminated cell assembly 60 for the sliding contact with the external connector 80, ie the surfaces perpendicular to the facing surface 71 or the surfaces of the side wall of the fixing portion 70.

The fastening portion 70 and the outer connector 80 fixed in the fastening portion 70 will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing part of the assembly 60 of laminated cells and the external connector 80. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing part of the assembly 60 of laminated cells in a state where the connector 80 is fixed in the fastening portion 70.

The external connector 80 has harnesses 81 inserted and fixed on the rear surface thereof. The harnesses 81 are connected to terminals (not shown) inside the external connector 80. The outer connector 80 also has guide portions 82 and fastener portions 83 on the side surfaces thereof. The guide portion 82 is shaped according to the shape of the guide portions 105 such that the guide portions 82 and 105 perform the function of positioning at the time of installation of the external connector 80 in the portion 70. Fixing. The fastener portion 83 is shaped according to the shape of the coupling portion 102 to engage in the coupling portion 102.

Next, coupling portion 102 and fastener portion 83 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the part taken along the line D-D of FIG. 9. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the part taken along the line E-E of FIG. 10 As shown in FIG. 11, the fastener portion 83 and the coupling portion 102 have a hook 84 and a groove 106 respectively. When the fastener portion 83 is inserted in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 11 (i.e., in the direction of insertion of the external connector 80, the hook 80 slides on the surface of the side wall of the coupling portion 102 and is fixed in the slot 84 as shown in FIG. the hook 84 has a surface perpendicular to the direction of the arrow of FIG 11, the movement of the fastener 83 is restricted by the contact of the perpendicular surface of the hook 84 with the side wall of the slot 106 during the coupling of the portion 83 of fastener and coupling portion 102.

Referring again to FIG. 10, the fastening portion 70 is shaped in accordance with the shape of the external connector 80 such that the external connector 80 is inserted and fixed in the fastening portion 70. By inserting the external connector 80 into the fastening portion 70, the coupling portion 102 and the fastener portion 83 engage each other in such a way that the external connector 80 is prevented from moving in the insertion direction or in the direction of insertion. opposite direction to the insertion direction.

Since the fixing part 70 has the same function as the insertion hole of the external connector 80, that is, the case of a female connector, there is no need to form an insertion hole of the female connector in the laminated spacers 100 and there is no need to provide a female connector as a separate component part.

The cell module 200 will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a module 200 of cells before being sealed in a wrapper.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the cell module 200. The cell module 200 has lower and upper covers 91 and 92 surrounding the assembly 60 of laminated cells. The assembly 60 of laminated cells is sealed in the upper and lower covers 91 and 92 by embossing the peripheral portions of the upper and lower covers 91 and 92. In the upper and lower covers 91 and 92, cuts are formed in the positions corresponding to the fixing element 70 of the assembly 60 of laminated cells to form a hole for the insertion of the external connector 80. As described above, the cell module 200 has a fixing portion 70 formed by the lamination of spacers 100 to be fixed with the external connector 80 and the coupling portion 102 formed in the spacers 100 to be coupled with the portion 83 of bra in the present modality. The external connector 80 can be securely connected to the cell module 200 by means of the fixing portion 70 and the coupling portion 102. There is no need to provide a female connector as a separate component element or to provide a separate component element with a hole for the insertion of the external connector 80. Therefore it is possible to avoid an increase in the number of component elements of the cell module 200. It is also possible to provide a module 200 of cells with high productivity since the hole for the insertion of the external connector 80 can be formed with the same lamination time and effort as in the conventional flat cells by lamination of the cell units 41 and 42 integral.

There is no need to form a separator with a hole for the insertion of an internal connector in the present embodiment. This allows improvements in manufacturing efficiency such that the cell module 200 can be provided with high productivity. further, the coupling portion 102 is provided in the spacers 100 to improve the connection reliability of the cell module 200 and the external connector 80 and provides a tactile feel at the time of insertion of the external connector 80 for improvement in operating efficiency . In the present embodiment, it is possible to easily detect whether the cell module 200 securely engages or not with the external connector 80, by the coupling portion 102. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the size of the cell module 200 for the effective use of the cell space since there is no need to provide an internal connector as a separate component element or to provide a separate component element with an internal connector insertion hole. in the present modality.

In the present embodiment, the flat cell 1 and the separator 100 are integrated into a unit. This makes it possible that, even when tension is applied to the connection terminals 31 at the time of insertion of the external connector 80 into the fixing portion 70, the separators 100 integrated with the flat cells 1 can absorb such tension and reduce the load on the connection terminals 31. In addition, the separators 100 can be laminated in one piece and simultaneously with the flat cells 1 for improvement in the efficiency of the rolling operation. The one-piece formation of the flat cell 1 and the spacer 100 also allows an improvement in stiffness to provide electrode tabs 14, 15 and connection terminals 31 with a structure resistant against external voltage such that the module 200 cells can achieve more security and greater reliability.

Since the spacers 100 are flame-shaped and arranged around the cells 1, the flat cells 1 can be surrounded and covered by the insulation members, respectively, to prevent the metal parts from being exposed and causing a short circuit between them.

In the present embodiment, the flat cells 1 and the separators 100 are integrated into a unit by molding with inserts to surround and cover the flat cells 100 with the insulation member. This makes it possible that, even when voltage is applied to the connection terminals 31 at the time of insertion of the external connector 80 into the fixing portion 70, the frame-shaped spacers 100 can absorb such tension and reduce the load on the terminals. connection terminals 31.

In particular, the spacers 100 are adapted to retain the electrode tabs 14, 15 and the connection terminals 31 and are formed in one piece with the electrode tabs, 14, 15 and the connection terminals 31, respectively, in the present modality. This makes it possible, even when voltage is applied to the electrode tabs, 14, 15, and the connection terminals 31 at the time of insertion of the external connector 80 into the fastening portion 70, the load on the tabs being reduced. , 15, electrode and connection terminals 31.

In the present embodiment, the connection terminals 31 are formed on electrode plates 30 such that the electrode plates 30 are connected to the electrode tabs, 14, 15 and are retained with the tabs, 14, 15, of electrodes by means of spacers 100 respectively. By such a simple configuration, the cell module 200 can establish a connection between the electrode tabs 14, 15 and the connection terminals but also increases the rigidity of its terminal elements.

In addition, the directions of the electrode tabs 14, 15 of the electrode plates 30 and the longitudinal directions of the connection terminals 31 are in parallel with the insertion direction of the external connector 80 in the present embodiment. This makes it possible, at the time of insertion of the external connector 80, to maintain the stiffness against the voltage applied to the electrode tabs, 14, 15, the terminal plate 30 and the connection terminal 31 such that the Module 200 can achieve more security and greater reliability.

In the present embodiment, the terminal plate 30 and the electrode tabs 14, 15 are joined by means of ultrasonic welding. This makes it possible to avoid an increase in resistance to reduce the size of the cell module 200.

In addition, the separators 100 are formed of a hot melt material, a resin material or a mixture thereof in the present embodiment. This leads to an improvement in the flexibility of the shape of the separators 100. The mixture of the hot melt material and the resin material can be used appropriately for the elements where strength is required.

Although each of the spacers 100 is frame-shaped to surround the flat cells 1 in the present embodiment, the spacers 100 can be alternately shaped to retain the short sides of the flat cells 1 between them.

In the present embodiment, the connection terminal 31 and the electrode tabs 14, 15 can be formed in the same component element to provide the connection terminal 31 as part of the electrode tab 14, 15. This eliminates the need to provide the terminal plate 30 and makes it possible to further reduce the number of component elements of the cell module 200.

Although the external connector 80 is provided as a male connector, and the coupling portion 70, the connection terminal 31 and the coupling portion 102 are provided as a female connector in the present embodiment, it is alternatively feasible to provide the external connector 80 as a female connector, and providing the coupling portion 70, the connection terminal 31 and the coupling portion 102 as a male connector.

In the present embodiment, the guide portion 105 is not necessarily provided, since the coupling portion 102 performs the positioning function of the external connector 80.

Here, the spacers 100 correspond to the insulation members of the present invention, the coupling portion 102 corresponds to a second coupling portion of the present invention and the fastener portion 83 corresponds to a first coupling portion of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cell module, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of flat cells and insulation members laminated together, the flat cells having electrode tabs, the isolation members which are arranged to avoid a short circuit between the electrode tabs; a fixing portion formed by lamination of the insulation members to be fixed with an external connector; Y a second coupling portion formed by the insulation members to be coupled with a first coupling portion of the external connector.

2. The cell module according to claim 1, characterized in that the insulation members are formed in one piece with the flat cells, respectively.

3. The cell module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the isolation members are in the form of a frame and are arranged around the flat cells, respectively.

4. The cell module according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising connection terminals electrically connected to the respective flat cells, characterized in that the isolation members are adapted to retain the electrode tabs and the connection terminals and are formed in one piece with the electrode tabs and the connection terminals, respectively.

5. The cell module according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising end plates retained by the isolation members and connected to the electrode tabs, respectively, characterized in that, the connection terminals are formed on the respective terminal plates.

6. The cell module according to claim 5, characterized in that the electrode tabs are plate-shaped; and wherein, the directions of the planes of the electrode tabs, the directions of the planes of the end plates and the longitudinal directions of the connection terminals are in parallel with the insertion direction of the external connector with respect to the portion of fixation.

7. The cell module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the isolation members have a guide portion for positioning the external connector relative to the fixing portion. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A cell module is described which is formed by the laminate a plurality of flat cells, each of which has electrode tabs, and a plurality of isolation members, which are arranged to eliminate a short circuit between the tabs of electrode. The cell module has: a fastening section (70) formed by the laminate of the insulation members, and has an external connector (80) fixed thereon; and a second coupling section (102), which is formed in an isolation member (100), and which engages a first section (83) of the external connector (80). The cell module is provided which can have the connector inserted in the same and coupled with it, while reducing the number of components.